Combined match and toothpick case



April 1 1924. 1,489,029

I R. S. GRAHAM COMBINED MATCH AND TOOTHPICK CASE Filed Feb. 4, 1922 Swwemboz 73ml jMlm/ Patented Apr. 1, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT S. GRAHAM, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WILLIS M. FO-LLMER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

COMBINED MATCH AND TOOTHPICK CASE.

Application filed February 4. 1922.

7 '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT S. GRAHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combined Match and Toothpick Case, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a combined match and toothpick case and the objects of the invention are to provide a case in which both matches and toothpicks can be easily assembled in an inexpensive manner, so as to be both neat in appearance and convenient for use.

To the accomplishment of the above objects and to such others as may hereinafter appear the invention comprises a combined match and toothpick case having a retaining device adjacent the top of the matches for holding the upper ends of a plurality of toothpicks, the lower ends of said toothpicks being arranged to be held in the rear of the matches by the match retaining means.

Referring to the drawings:

Fi ure 1 is a perspective view of a combine match and toothpick case made in accordance with the invention.

Figures 2 and 3 are front views in open position of a combined match and toothpick case also made in accordance with the invention showing alternate constructions.

In the drawings A designates the body portion of the case which, in the present instance, is bent upward at the bottom to 1'0- vide a clamping member B arran to hold, in the present instance, a plura ity. of paper matches C, secured together at their lower ends so as to be retained in position by means of a staple D, which is preferably situated near the bent edge of the clamping member.

The body portion A of the case is, in the present instance, provided with an integral cover E which is arranged to be bent or folded to cover the matches, the end of the cover E being of sufficient length to be 'inserted behind the upper part of the clamping member B to close the case.

In the present instance and in accordance with the present invention the body portion A of the case is made a little longer Serial No. 534,012.

than is ordinarily necessary to cover the end of the matches, in order to provide sufficient space above the top of the matches for a retaining device F which is arranged to hold the upper ends of a plurality of toothpieks G the lower ends of which extend downward behind the back of the matches, by means of which the same are held in position by frictional engagement, so as to be easily removed when the cover is open and the same are required for use.

The retaining device F, as shown in Fig. 1, comprises two oppositely opposed flap members 7', which are, in the present instance, made integral with the sides of the body portion A. The flap members f are preferably tapered toward their free ends along the upper edges in order to expose the upper ends of the toothpicks, which can easily be removed as required by folding back the flap members.

The retaining device F as shown in Fig. 3 comprises only one flap member 9 which is. in the present instance, made of a separate piece of material which extends all the way across the body portion A and is secured ateach end by means of a staple h. The upper edge of the flap member 9 is preferably cut away toward the centre in order to expose the upper ends of the toothpicks which are easily removed as required by flexing the body portion A to open the flap member g.

The retaining member F as shown in figure 2 comprises two oppositely opposed flap members j similar to the flap members f shown in Fig. 1 but in the present instance the flap members are secured at each of their outer ends by means of a staple 70.-

From the above description it will be seen that a combined match and toothpick case is provided that is cheap of manufacture and conveniently holds both matches and toothpicks in an attractive manner. The retaining member F situated as above described adjacent the top of the matches affords a suitable and attractive space for advertising purposes on the face thereof, to advertise for example Dandy cigars or other merchandise.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to the details of construction the same is not to be considered as limited thereto a many changes can be made and still fall within the scope of the invention set forth in the following claims What I claim is 1. A case for holding matches and toothpicks, comprising in combination a body portion, means for securing one end of a plurality of matches to the lower end of said body portion. said match Securing means being arranged to frictionally secure one end of a plurality of toothp-icks between said matches and said body portion, a retaining device secured to said body portion adjacent the upper end of said matches for retaining the upper ends of a plurality of toothpicks, and a cover secured to said body portion as and for the purposes set forth.

2. A case for holding matches and toothpicks, comprising in combination a body portion, means for securing one end of a plurality of matches to the lower end of said body portion said match securing means being arranged to frictionally secure one end of. a plurality of toothpicks between said matches and said body portion, a retaining device comprising oppositely opposed flap members secured to said body portion adjacent the upper end of said matches for retaining the upper ends of a plurality of toothpicks and a cover secured to said body portion as and for the purposes set forth.

3. A case for holding matches and toothpicks comprising in combination a body portion, means for securing one end of a plurality of matches to the lower end of said body portion, said match securing means being arranged to frictionally secure one end of a plurality of toothpicks between said matches and said body portion, a retaining device comprising oppositely opposed flap members, means for securing said flap members to said body portion adjacentthe upper end of said matches for retaining the upper ends of a plurality of toothpicks, and a cover secured to said body portion as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' ROBERT S. GRAHAM.

Witnesses Lno J. MATIY, HENRY W. SYKEs, 

